Do we really need a third car?

[Maniac]

So the OH has a Toyota IQ for the work runs and taking the dog out to the park in a morning etc. As I have to also take the dog out on weekends and odd days in the week when the OH is at work, the dog goes into the Z. I don't like this for obvious reasons, while the dog is small, she's young and lively and is constantly climbing around. If I had a black leather interior I'd probably not mind so much, but white leather and alcantara is a different beast. So I'm considering another car and I've seen some brand new, pre-registered in stock Ford Focus Zetec (1.0 ecoboost 100hp) for around £12k locally which I think is an absolute bargain. Brand new so I can feel assured its not been ragged etc and I can run it into the ground/keep it forever as a workhorse. I note on drive the deal that I can get a new one (therefore not pre-reg 1 garage owner) for 12.5K so I'd use that to haggle down any pre-reg car further, I'm hoping to get closer to 11K or less maybe.

Anyhow thing is, is this overkill for the odd time I need a workhorse? Am I likely to think 'ooh actually this is so much more comfortable for the commute' and end up leaving the Z sat on the drive. I hardly use the e89 at weekends anyhow as we use the OH's car due to the lack of seats in mine for the dog and us two. While I like the idea of having a car to keep nice and another as a workhorse, I'm wondering if in the end the Z will remain on the drive until such a time as I think 'well, for the few times a year I use it, I may as well sell it'. The main reason I don't want to sell the Z is that its cost me a hell of a lot of money and I refuse to sell it and take the loss vs keeping it and enjoying it. Hmmm....

I was intending to sell the Z and just get a nice E class Merc coupe or something similar but they're a bit boring compared to the Z and I don't do the miles to make a diesel work (DPF etc). So I'm thinking well if I can't find anything better than the Z but I really would like some extra seats and something to be perhaps less precious about then get a second car.

But 2 people and 3 cars? Would I end up selling the Z? Would I just end up hardly using one or the other and wasting money? If anyone else has been or is in the same position I'd be interested to hear their experience so I can either feel assured and go ahead and get another car or realise that I'm just doing a new toy thing perhaps....

 

[Nelly Welly]

Two people three cars, I give you two people and a Z, Mini Cooper s, mondeo estate, gt6 and discovery .

No comparison just do it.

 

[Stan1970]

Have you looked on this web site Maniac? - there are often some great deals on there for Cars - Focus appeared the other day - although it was a very cheap lease deal - There will be focus offers at the moment as there is a new model due out - what about a Dacia?

www.hotukdeals.com

Here are a couple of deals that have appeared recently

http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/dacia-logan-mcv-estate-car-new-from-only-6995-1781678

http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/dacia-logan-mcv-estate-car-new-from-only-6995-1781678

http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/dacia-logan-mcv-estate-car-new-from-only-6995-1781678

http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/dacia-logan-mcv-estate-car-new-from-only-6995-1781678

 

[Stan1970]

oopps I think it just posted the same link for each car - have a search around there are fords on there - I will try again

http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/tilsun-ford-focus-2-0-tdci-titanium-5dr-2013-119-99-vat-month-6-23-1786091

 

[Maniac]

I'll take a look. I'm fairly sold on the Focus because its cheap to run, insure, is big enough, I like the look of the exterior (interior is not great but then its a workhorse) and they seem very cheap for what you get. I'm not fixed to it though so if there are other solutions I'm happy to look into them. I'm quite a practical/pragmatic person and I want to be sure that if I make the move, the cars will get used and not shelved as that makes no sense at all and wastes money.

 

[Maniac]

Two people three cars, I give you two people and a Z, Mini Cooper s, mondeo estate, gt6 and discovery .

No comparison just do it.

Can you tell me which you use and when/how often and why? Sorry I know that's a handful but that's the bit I'm hoping to address, less the car type, more the will they get used question.

 

[Stan1970]

4x4 might be the way to go in case you have to use it in snow!

 

[danmiddle2]

Have you thought of buying a car seat cover instead?



I have 3 cars (1x workhorse, 1x classic and 1x weekend toy), SWMBO has 1.

 

[the cueball]

1 person here, 5 cars and a motorbike...

You got the money, want to get another car, go and do it! Lol

 

[Stan1970]

Have you thought of buying a car seat cover instead?

x 2

I had 3 cars at one time - mini cooper - wife - BMW520d co car - Porsche boxster

After 2 years I sold the Boxster as it only had appox 6k miles on it was kept in the garage with the mini - when I wanted to go somewhere quick I would use the 520 as it was usually parked in front of the garage where the boxster was and I was too lazy to move one car to get the other out.

Its your choice but I used to feel the pain when insurance/tax was due - It didnt get a first service but crikey that would of hurt - now if money is no option why not go for 4 cars!

The other thing is you will not be happy with a basic car - you will want one with options or if you stick to lower cost you will miss things and want to change it in a year. - anyway once I have an itch it needs scratching so just go for it - you know what the sensible approach is.

 

[Maniac]

Have you thought of buying a car seat cover instead?



I have 3 cars (1x workhorse, 1x classic and 1x weekend toy), SWMBO has 1.

I have a seat cover but I also have leather on the doors and alcantara, a high gloss wood centre console etc etc. When I take the dog out, I am constantly distracted telling the dog not to stand on the door or try to scrabble over the gloss wood centre console etc so even though the seat is protected to a degree the interior of my car is not dog friendly in the sense that it can take hammer, it can't.

 

[Maniac]

1 person here, 5 cars and a motorbike...

You got the money, want to get another car, go and do it! Lol

Well the thing is yes I have the money to do it, but then money can be used for so many things and I'm also trying very hard not to spend 12K that I could use to pay off a mortgage or help towards a change in lifestyle that I'm hoping for in the next 2-3 years (cut down hours, work less, relocate to a more rural area etc).

I'd like a new car, but I'm also wondering if an old banger might be the route, prob not last as long, cause more headaches maybe but would reduce outlay and still serve the workhorse purpose. An old car might also make me use the e89 more and not feel like such a waste...hmmm

 

[Maniac]

you know what the sensible approach is.

I'm not sure I do tbh, hence the thread... I'm the type to consider so many things making a decision to avoid making a mistake, sometimes that means a close escape, other times it means missing out...

 

[Finisterre]

2 people

530i
Z 2.0
vito van

ps, did you change your job?

 

[Stan1970]

Would you not consider this?

Ford Focus.
Includes 10000 miles in contract. Not sure on the excess mileage
Deposit: £1,079.91 +VAT
23 Monthly Payments of £119.99 + VAT
Think there will be an arrangement fee of £200 + VAT as well.
Total over term
£4039.68 + VAT
£4847.62 inc VAT
You can add maintenance as well which is extra £9+VAT a month which include tyres, tyre repairs and servicing.

You can also get 1.6 version for £2 less same spec.
http://www.tilsungroup.com/ford-focus-1.6-tdci-115-titanium-5dr-car-19409

 

[Finisterre]

my old 530i is surplus ish
I am probably going to go back to just a van
two vehicles is twice the hassle :thumbsdown:

so
-£2500 it is yours

 

[Nelly Welly]

As for use the disco gets the dogs, the mondeo gets the cats for showing, the mini is swmbo's driver, the Z is my pleasurable commute and the GT6 is my lifetime car.

 

[bluestreak56]

For quite some time I had 2 cars to myself and I walk to work. That was out of love for the cars and they were different beasts, a long range cruiser (635CSI) and a more mid range pocket rocket (Scirocco 16v). At that time, we had 4 cars between 3 drivers in the house.

Now we're down to 3 cars between 3 drivers and we still dont use all the cars. My mums family runaround (1.1 Hyundai Getz 5dr) gets used almost daily for a 1 mile commute each way, a 3.5 mile daily commute each way and once a week for a 13 mile run (each way) but all driving is city driving. I really do recommend one of these for your purposes, they are rock solid never had an issue, cost nothing to buy, run and have plenty of room for a small dog.

My dads Audi never gets driven, its only used for long motorway runs and if not sits in the garage. It probably comes out once every 2-3 months.

My zed used to only get run once a week for a reasonable trip but now I'm having to use it more frequently and for short journeys as well. I hate it but needs must and I mix it up with a longer journey (10 plus miles) wherever I can.

Thinking of getting a hybrid to replace the hyundai just because we want an auto & something newer. Plus we've had it nearly 7 years now..

If you can justify the runnings costs per year and it will get used then go for it. I'm not sure about splashing out on a new car though, we've never bought new and I would never recommend to anyone to do so. All of the value gets added to the next owner usually..

 

[TonyP]

2 people, 3 cars here, VW Polo, Ford SportKA & the Zed (I've not counted my Mk1 Golf GTI as that has been off the road for 15 years)

The miles that you are not putting on your Z4 will enhance its resale value somewhat offsetting the cost of running a 3rd car

Do it I say, it makes the Zed even more special when you do drive it.

 

[Maniac]

2 people

530i
Z 2.0
vito van

ps, did you change your job?

No I didn't change job and I'm glad to be honest as while the job I have may be a bit all over the place, I get a lot of personal time, flexibility, pay isn't half bad and lots of other plusses. I thought I wanted to go corporate but when the interview was all about power point presentations etc, I lost the will to live. I'm more your coal face manager than a back office manager.